The Medical Research Charities Showcase, held in the House of Commons, provided an important platform for medical research charities across the UK to engage with policymakers. Organised by the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the event brought together over 75 senior representatives, MPs and Peers to discuss the impact of charity-funded patient research.
With more than half of the 650 MPs in Westminster newly elected, this event was designed to build awareness, foster connections and put emphasis on the life-changing impact of research supported by the generosity of the British public through donations and fundraising.
The charity used the event to highlight its research efforts, raise awareness about aortic disease and discuss the challenges facing patient cardiovascular care and research.
Government Support
The showcase was hosted by George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, who spoke about the government’s recent investments in medical research. A £50 million fund has been distributed to 90 charities, supporting over 1,200 early-career researchers. This funding reflects a broader push to strengthen the research sector, reduce NHS waiting times and improve patient care.
Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health, and Mental Health, delivered the keynote address. In her role overseeing clinical trials, life sciences, and patient safety, she highlighted the critical importance of aligning research efforts with the needs of patients. Her remarks underscored the value of collaborative work between charities, government, and healthcare providers in advancing medical innovation.
Catherine Fowler, Trustee of the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, previously joined Baroness Merron in discussions around health policy, including the importance of prioritising long-term health conditions within the broader agenda for patient safety and innovation. This ongoing engagement highlights the charity’s commitment to ensuring aortic dissection is part of the national conversation about improving care and outcomes for individuals with serious conditions.
Key Themes Explored at the Event
The showcase provided a space to reflect on the broader contributions of medical research charities to UK healthcare. Three themes stood out during discussions:
- Charity-Funded Research as a Driver of Progress: The event draws attention to how research funded by charities has led to advances in diagnosis, treatment and quality of life across a range of diseases. The charity shared examples of how its research initiatives are helping to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosing aortic dissection, a factor that is critical to survival rates.
- Engaging Policymakers: With over half of the current MPs newly elected in 2024, the event served as an opportunity to build awareness of the role charities play in the UK’s research and development landscape. Representatives from TADCT engaged in discussions to emphasise how targeted research funding can make a difference in patient outcomes, particularly in areas like cardiovascular health, which is often overshadowed by more widely recognised conditions such as cancer and dementia.
- Addressing Challenges and Opportunities: The event provided a platform to discuss systemic challenges in medical research, such as securing sustainable funding, navigating regulatory complexities, and ensuring equity in patient access to innovations. For TADCT, this was a chance to explore opportunities for collaboration with other organisations working in cardiovascular health and related fields.
Charity Funded Research
Charity funded research plays a crucial role in the UK’s healthcare system. Of those who donate to charity, 1 in 5 supports medical research, enabling organisations like TADCT to fund studies and initiatives that might otherwise be overlooked. The AMRC estimates that the contributions of its members significantly enhance the UK’s research capabilities, with benefits extending across disease areas and stages of the research pipeline.
For TADCT, being part of this event highlighted how collaboration within the AMRC community can help tackle shared challenges. Larger charities, such as the British Heart Foundation, offer a model for how sustained funding and advocacy efforts can lead to systemic change. TADCT’s work complements these efforts by focusing on the specific needs of aortic dissection patients and ensuring that their voices are heard.
Moving Forward
For the charity, the event reaffirmed the importance of partnerships between charities, policymakers, and healthcare providers. By engaging MPs and Peers, the charity aims to ensure that aortic dissection receives the recognition and support it deserves within the broader landscape of cardiovascular health.
While challenges persist, the showcase demonstrated the potential for research to drive meaningful improvements in patient care. For organisations like TADCT, this collaborative approach is essential to reducing preventable deaths, advancing scientific understanding, and improving outcomes for patients and families affected by aortic dissection.
